Chad Mendes’ (12-1) original opponent, Hacran Dias has been replaced with UFC newcomer, Yaotzin Meza ( 18-7). The fight is scheduled to take place this Friday at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Australia.
This card is headlined by The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes team coaches, George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson. The Mendes vs. Meza fight will take place on the FUel TV prelims.
Mendes is coming off of a successful TKO win over Cody McKenzie at UFC 148 in his first fight since his knockout loss against Jose Aldo at UFC 142. Mendes will be looking to amass another win streak to get back into title contention.
For Meza, a win over Mendes would be the biggest of his career, especially on such short notice and can easily propel him up the rankings with a decisive victory over the former title challenger.
Here is the full card:
FX Main Card, 9 p.m. ET
Ross Pearson vs. George Sotiropoulos
Brad Scott vs. Robert Whittaker – TUF: Smashes welterweight final
Colin Fletcher vs. Norman Parke – TUF: Smashes lightweight final
Hector Lombard vs. Rousimar Palhares
FUEL TV Card, 6 p.m. ET
Chad Mendes vs. Yaotzin Meza
Joey Beltran vs. Igor Pokrajac
Seth Baczynski vs. Mike Pierce
Ben Alloway vs. Manuel Rodriguez
Brendan Loughnane vs. Mike Wilkinson
Cody Donovan vs. Nick Penner